DOGS in the FIELD - Part 1

Hunting dogs really throw themselves into their efforts

December 25, 2011

Each year we ask owners of hunting dogs to submit photos of their dogs in the field.

The response once again was quite good. Despite bird populations that have declined from previous years, there was simply no way hunters were going to keep their dogs at home. It might be more accurate to say the dogs wouldn't allow it to happen.

Here we share some moments in the field, memories of the hunt and of the unique abilities of hunting breeds. Their enthusiasm is unmatched and their knowledge in the field easily surpasses that of the best hunters among us.

Article Photos

Submitted Photo - - Wirehaired griffons are known as a versatile breed. Here 4-1/2-year-old “Zephyr” makes a water retrieve in Mountrail County during opening weekend of the pheasant season. “She doesn’t like to swim, but wanted to get this bird for me,” said owner Susan Davy, Burlington.

Submitted Photo - - Pointing lab “Jade” didn’t need to be asked twice to make the flush on this rooster for owner Pete Neal of Minot during a hunt near Mott on Oct. 11. Jade is 3-1/2 years old.

Submitted Photo - - Mr. Favor,” a 7-1/2-year-old wirehaired griffon, retrieved this sharptailed grouse despite hot early season temperatures. Mr. Favor is owned by Tom DeLoughery of Burlington. “It was a blessing there was so many sloughs for the dogs to cool off,” said Susan Davy, who was present for the hunt. “We were in Mountrail County. The bird’s crops were full of rose hips and grasshoppers. We didn’t see the grouse in numbers we are used to but, with some work, managed to get our limit.”

Submitted Photo - - “Hunter” makes a return visit to our celebration of hunting dogs. Here the 6-year-old Labrador peeks through feathers as he retrieves a rooster pheasant for owner Greg Gullickson of Minot. “I played hooky for part of a day and scratched out a few birds with the help of Hunter,” Gullickson said.

Submitted Photo - - “She’s a little dog with a big heart. Doesn’t like to quit!” said Mike Monson, Minot. Monson owns “Rainy,” an 8-year-old pointing Lab who shows her ability to retrieve. The photo was taken near Crosby.

We asked for photos emphasizing dogs, not hunters, and our readers responded splendidly. So did the dogs but, as owners will certainly attest, their dogs are always more than ready for the challenge of the hunt.

There are still two weeks of upland game hunting remaining. The season closes Jan. 8. If you get your dog into the field and capture some memorable moments on camera in the coming days, feel free to submit them for possible publication in these pages at season's end. Please include the dog's breed, age, owner's name and town, date the photo was taken and approximate location of the hunt.